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Japanese magician Tenko Hikita invited to attend Kim Jong Il funeral

North Korea has invited world famous Japanese magician Tenko Hikita to attend the Dec. 28 funeral for Kim Jong II. Also known as Princess Tenko, she has performed magic shows in North Korea. She received the invitation over the phone and via email from one of Kim’s relatives after the death was announced Monday, her manager said, adding that Hikita has not decided whether to attend.The invitation came despite Pyongyang’s decision to ban foreign representatives from the funeral.

Princess Tenko has not only stood out as a captivating magician but also succeeded in breaking into the male-dominated profession. One of her biggest fans was late Kim Jong II, the North Korean president. Hikita was invited to North Korea in 1998 and 2000 to perform magic shows and attend private dinners with Kim.